“We see insurance not just as protection, but as a strategic enabler of long-term growth.” Sopio Gaprindashvili, General Manager at GMT hotels/GMT Mtatsminda (Marriott)
The Marriott Group has been one of GrECo Georgia’s most trusted and long-standing partners, dating back to the founding of the local GrECo branch in Tbilisi. Over the years, our collaboration has grown steadily, grounded in mutual trust and a shared commitment to excellence. We continue to support Marriott across a variety of strategic areas, always aiming to deliver value and innovation while maintaining the high standards both our teams are known for. David Leonidze, Account Manager, at GrECo Georgia sat down with Sopio Gaprindashvili, General Manager at GMT hotels Mtatsminda (part of Marriott) to discuss the unique challenges and innovations faced by emerging leaders in the hospitality sector.
Adapting Insurance and Strategy for Growth and Uncertainty
Leonidze: As a relatively new business, what have been the most significant risks you have encountered in your early years, and how did you overcome them?
Gaprindashvili: As one of the largest players in Georgia’s hospitality sector, our early years were marked by rapid growth, high capital investment, and unpredictable external risks – each of which brought its own insurance-related challenges.
One of the most significant risks we faced was navigating operational uncertainty during political and economic fluctuations in the region. Hospitality is highly sensitive to tourism trends, currency volatility, and regulatory shifts – all of which impacted our business. We had to learn quickly how to structure insurance programmes that could protect our assets, revenue streams, and staff in a dynamic environment.
We also realised early on that traditional insurance products often didn’t fully align with the needs of a modern hospitality business, especially regarding business interruption and liability coverage. As a result, we’ve taken a proactive role in co-designing risk solutions with our partners, including brokers like GrECo, to ensure better alignment between coverage and operational realities.
Ultimately, our ability to blend structured risk management with strategic partnerships was key to cover the most pressing early challenges. Today, we see insurance not just as protection, but as a strategic enabler of long-term growth.
Integrating Risk Awareness into Every Layer of the Business
Leonidze: How do you approach risk management differently compared to more established businesses, and what innovative strategies have you implemented?
Gaprindashvili: As a newer business, we’ve had the advantage of building our risk approach from scratch. This has allowed us to stay agile and avoid outdated systems or slow decision-making.
Our strategy is to integrate risk awareness into every layer of the business – from operations and guest experience to staffing and vendor selection. We actively monitor feedback and performance data to spot issues early and adjust quickly.
We also value collaboration. By working closely with our partners and advisers, we’ve been able to tailor our risk approach to reflect our actual needs: practical solutions that support the way we operate.
Flexibility is Imperative in a Fast-Paced World
Leonidze: How has your business changed and adapted to the very fast changing world since its inception?
Gaprindashvili: The world has shifted rapidly in the past few years, and our business has had to adapt to the changes quickly. We’ve made some changes to our operations, anticipating changes in customer behaviour.
From the pandemic to evolving guest expectations, we’ve learned that flexibility is key. We’ve updated our internal processes, invested in staff training, embraced technology where it improves the guest journey, and put a greater focus on long-term sustainability.
These changes haven’t just helped us respond to challenges – they’ve made us stronger and more prepared for the future.
Adaptability is the Key to Navigating Tomorrow’s Risks
Leonidze: What are your predictions for the future risk landscape in your industry, and how do you plan to stay resilient and innovative in the face of these challenges?
Gaprindashvili: Looking ahead, we believe the hospitality industry will face increasing pressure from external risks like climate change, regional instability, and evolving guest expectations – especially around sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.
To stay resilient, we’re focusing on flexibility, smart planning, and building strong partnerships. We want to stay ahead by constantly improving our processes, being open to innovation, and learning from every experience.
More than anything, we believe that adaptability, combined with trusted advisers like GrECo, will be the key to navigating the risks of tomorrow while continuing to grow with confidence.
About GMT Mtatsminda (Marriott)
GMT Mtatsminda, a flagship project of the GMT Group in partnership with Marriott, exemplifies the fusion of heritage and hospitality atop Tbilisi’s iconic Mtatsminda Hill. With its panoramic views and world-class service, it stands as a symbol of Georgia’s growing appeal as a premium destination for business and leisure.
